Again, on Jezebel - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) December 23, 2022

We recently looked at Jezebel and learned that she is not one whose example we want to follow. She was a Biblical queen who married Ahab, King of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Described as an idolater and witch in 2 Kings 9:22, she had God's prophets killed, arranged the murder of a man who refused to sell her husband his vineyard, and threatened to kill Prophet Elijah.

She seduced with beauty and wealth, all symbolic of the kingdom she came from. Understandably, many would aspire to be like her. What these people didn't realize was that the elegance she represented came with the false gods she served. And by delving deeper and deeper into this idolatry, the citizens of Israel walked further away from their God.

To be fair, Jezebel cannot be blamed for the Northern Kingdom turning to false gods and idols. That started long before she arrived on the scene. Using her influence and power, she ensured that God's prophets were hunted and killed (with the knowledge and sanction of her husband), resulting in the 100 remaining prophets hiding in caves (1 Kings 18:4). The prophets and priests of her gods on the other hand, were well fed and feted in a time of severe famine (1 Kings 18:19).

In this way, she led more and more people from serving God. Imagine living in a land where food and water were scarce, only to learn the queen had food and drinks for those who worshipped her false gods. As such, the nation largely turned away from the Lord and eventually, only 7000 remained who hadn't honored other gods (1 Kings 19:18).

Let us not think such is impossible in our day and age. Instead, guard against being seduced by the deceptive image Jezebel presents, thinking that following in those footsteps will produce certain desired results. Remember that the Jezebel spirit aims to cause people to rebel against God. This is not achieved through brute force at first, so the strategy may not be immediately obvious. The Jezebel spirit subtly encourages others to stop obeying the Lord in order to achieve a form of success that is separate from God's word. One compromise at a time.

We are commanded in Isaiah 8:20 - Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Whatever does not have God's light belongs in the darkness. It is something we should not approach. In order to recognize a rebellious Jezebel-type and identify the absence of God's light in them, we must become familiar with God's word in the Bible. The more that happens, the easier it is to recognize His voice and recognize what does not align with it. In that way, His faithful children can flee from what seeks to separate them from the Lord and the fullness that comes from living in His light.

This way, Jezebel's end will not be our portion for she was pushed out of a window and her remains were stripped by dogs with only her skull, hands and feet found (2 Kings 9:35-37). This had been prophesied by God's prophet, Elijah, in 1 Kings 21:19-24. As God cannot lie, His word came to pass.

May we each ask the Lord for the spiritual fruit and gifts which lend to spiritual fullness. That we may be in tune with God Almighty and stay far away from Jezebels and the spirit they carry, IJMN, Amen.

PS: If you're wondering what happened to Jezebel's husband, Ahab, the Bible records him as having done more evil than all the kings that came before him (1 Kings 16:30). 1 Kings 21:25-26 states, "[t]here was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel." He was cursed by God to die and did so in a battle. The men cleaned Ahab’s chariot at a pool in Samaria where prostitutes bathed, and the dogs licked his blood from the chariot. These things happened as the Lord had said they would (1 Kings 22:38).

Please find the first Jezebel post here - Jezebel: An Introduction - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) December 20, 2022

Jezebel: An Introduction - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) December 20, 2022

What do you know of Jezebel? She was a Biblical queen who married one of the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel - Ahab. A non-Israelite, she did not worship Jehovah and in fact, brought the gods, idols and practices of her nation, entrenching them in her husband's land. She was a devious woman and was identified as an idolater and witch (2 Kings 9:22). She murdered God's prophets, so much so that at a point, only 100 remained and they hid in caves (1 Kings 18:4).

She schemed to kill a man simply because he refused to sell his inheritance - a vineyard - to her husband (1 Kings 21). Jezebel also threatened Prophet Elijah's life after he killed 850 of her false prophets (1 Kings 19:2). Her promise to kill the servant of God sent him running into the wilderness in fright (1 Kings 19:3). Her reputation for evil was enough to scare the prophet though he was a courageous man who spoke God's word - palatable or not - boldly.

Given the modern love for villains, it's no surprise that the term 'Jezebel' doesn't carry as strong a stench to it anymore. There are even websites named after the sadistic queen and nowadays, being a 'Jezebel' seems to have a bit of a 'cool' edge to it. Yet, God used Jezebel and her story as a warning to those of us who would come many centuries after she lived. A cautionary tale to not follow in her footsteps so as not to end up like her. In fact, the main issue Jesus had with the Church of Thyatira involved a 'Jezebel'. Revelation 2:20 - Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

We shall examine this queen, paying close attention to the hallmarks of individuals with a similar attitude - the Jezebel spirit. These individuals can be male or female, young or old. Their end is always the same - they are cast down from their high place and trampled underfoot (2 Kings 9:33). They exemplify what happens to those who do not walk in the fear of the Lord, are murderous, thieving, rebellious, who worship other gods and lead people away from the Lord.

May the good Lord Almighty guide us as we turn to this study at the end of the year. May we submit to Him and be stripped of the parts of ourselves where we have allowed the Jezebel spirit to take root and dwell, IJMN Amen.

Fullness of Life - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) December 16, 2022

"Fullness of life" as a concept is mentioned in John 10:10. The New International Version says - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Most other translations refer to an abundant life while the New Living Translation (NLT) speaks of a "rich and satisfying life." Regardless of the version, it is clear that fullness of life is desirable. After all, when God has a generous offer, it is to be sought and received with gratitude and praise.

What exactly is the "fullness of life"? What does it look like. Is it about money? Health? Security? A combination of these and more?

The word of God provides a clue in Colossians 2:9-10 - For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority (NLT).

Christ contained the fullness of what God is and has everything God is offering us. This fullness is therefore more than a physical state of being but a spiritual one. A spiritual completeness that spills into every day life, ensuring a richness that surrounds all that concerns a person. A richness that could only be obtained through Christ who, according to Ephesians 1:23, "fills everything in every way."

We receive this by believing in Jesus, by knowing Him and obeying Him. It is He who died and resurrected to make this blessing available to humanity. He doesn't care about our past and how bad we think we are or once were. He cares about bringing us into our glorious future. A perfect example is the Apostle Paul. Originally named Saul, he was a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus. So much so, he presided over the murder of Stephen, a disciple. Yet, God stretched out His hand to Him and after that encounter, Saul was transformed into an ardent believer in Christ. He became an apostle, changing his name to Paul (which means 'humbled') and wrote more than half the books of the New Testament as a servant of God through Christ.

And the Almighty wants to do a similar thing with all of us. He wants to transform us from living for ourselves to living for His glory. That we may have lives that reflect the fullness made available through Jesus Christ. Lives that will be spoken of long after we are gone because of the impact they made for the Lord. Such lives are filled with God's fullness which means blessings, experiencing the miraculous and a protection that defies understanding. These and so much more are the inheritance of those who choose Him and walk with Him for the long-haul.

So what is it you are looking for? What blessing would make your life full? Is it faith? Health? Joy? An end to insomnia? Look to Jesus Christ to supply these things by seeking and receiving spiritual fullness, which will translate into the provision of all your physical needs. For Matthew 6:33 tells us that when we seek the things of God, our needs will be provided. Let us ask Jesus for the spiritual fullness that produces the fullness of life we desire. And let us believe that we shall receive for Matthew 7:11 tells us our Heavenly Father gives good gifts to those who ask Him.

May the grace of the Lord bring us into His fullness and may we experience the blessings promised in Amos 9:13-15, IJMN, Amen.